Help for a real noob

[aj906]

Sorry in advance if this is in the wrong spot. I'm not very good with computers so am hoping someone can help.

Playing SH3 is no problem, but when I installed the GWX2 patch, it takes a very long time to load and when it finally sets up, the computer reboots - with no blue screen or anything. There is no warning, it is as if I have pushed a reset button.

I have 1 GB of RAM
2Gz processor
Radean X300 graphics card with latest drivers
Windows XP

There is a .dmp file for windows minidump, but I'm not sure how to attack it here (or even if that is a good idea). Any help sorting this out would be really appreciated

Thanks!

[bookworm_020]

You may need some more RAM. If you can bump it up a little it will help. The processor should just be able to cope. I don't know about the Video card, how much on board RAM does it have? Someone else will post soon enought to tell you anything alse that may help.

Welcome aboard and don't be afraid to post. We don't all bite!:arrgh!:

[irish1958]

Welcome aboard
You need to install the GWX2.0 on an unchanged, fresh install of SHIII, patched to 1.4b.
You also need to make sure the GWX 2.0 files are not bad, by checking the "checksum" .
A good idea is to also delete the SH3 folder in your "my documents" folder before installing the GWX 2.0 program.
If this doesn't work, check back, and we will get you up and runnig.

[Brag]

Welcome aboard! Hope that Irish's advice work. If it doesn't others will come up with a solution. :D

[ReallyDedPoet]

Welcome to SUBSIM :up: aj906

Looks like you got some good advice, good luck with it.


RDP

[aj906]

Many thanks to everyone for the kind words and help!

But.....

I did the complete uninstall and re-install but the same thing happens. It's about a 90 second load to the main menu then a 7min 30 sec load time to the mission (the quicker of the three loads I've tried). Then about a minute into the mission the computer just reboots with no blue screen, warning or otherwise.

The graphics card has 128MB of DDR over an above the 1Gb of RAM already installed.

I never had a problem playing SH3 (no mods, but patched to the latest) - its only since the introduction of GWX2

Thanks again for the help

Oh... and what or how do I "checksum"? :oops:

[Tessa]

Many thanks to everyone for the kind words and help!

But.....

I did the complete uninstall and re-install but the same thing happens. It's about a 90 second load to the main menu then a 7min 30 sec load time to the mission (the quicker of the three loads I've tried). Then about a minute into the mission the computer just reboots with no blue screen, warning or otherwise.

The graphics card has 128MB of DDR over an above the 1Gb of RAM already installed.

I never had a problem playing SH3 (no mods, but patched to the latest) - its only since the introduction of GWX2

Thanks again for the help

Oh... and what or how do I "checksum"? :oops:

The checksum is a hash function that verifies that the file that you download is indeed the correct and complete file. Probably a good idea to do it with these problems. I believe JonesSoft has one on his page in the download section that you can get. How the checksum actually works and does its job is derived from number theory and cryptography, kinda complicated to complain how it works; just that it creates an electronic fingerprint in which files distributed electronically can use to compare and make sure that their copy is the same as the source.

Even on a really fast computer GWX can load (relative to stock SHIII) slowly, since you aren't getting a blue screen its unlikely hardware related (like a bad driver) so something is failing at some point in the loading process. The event log should have some useful information as to what's killing your machine. Look for any stop errors in the system and application logs and cut and paste em, or save the logs and post em so we can look at em in whole.

Are you loading GWX directly or using SH3 commander?

[aj906]

Thanks for the heads up Tessa. The checksum comes up clean. As for the event logs..where would I go finding them

(You can assume I am completely incompetent and ignorant with computers so feel free to dumb down any and all info you offer to the lowest level)

[Grayson02sept1980]

Sorry in advance if this is in the wrong spot. I'm not very good with computers so am hoping someone can help.

Playing SH3 is no problem, but when I installed the GWX2 patch, it takes a very long time to load and when it finally sets up, the computer reboots - with no blue screen or anything. There is no warning, it is as if I have pushed a reset button.

I have 1 GB of RAM
2Gz processor
Radean X300 graphics card with latest drivers
Windows XP

There is a .dmp file for windows minidump, but I'm not sure how to attack it here (or even if that is a good idea). Any help sorting this out would be really appreciated

Thanks!

I have the same RAM
I have a 1,8GHz
I have a ATI Radeon Mobility X300
Win XP

Game runs "playable" just loading is a bit lame but that is the matter of the HDD drive,too.

I have ordered 2GB ram already nad get them today :smug: or tomorrow :smug:

Only time problems really occur is when I have to keep the scopes near the water line... the blurring etc. slows the game down getting a good solution (OLC GUI) is tricky.. but I see ot sportive and as a kind of simulation of bad sight etc. (or a drunken kaleun :lol: )

[irish1958]

To completely rule out an install problem:
unistall everything, including the SH3 folder using a good install program such as Revo uninstall http://www.revouninstaller.com/
reinstall SH3 and patch it to 1.4b (Some of the newer SH3DVDs are already patched and come without StarFarce)
Then reinstall GWX2.0
I would also check out the Omega drivers, if you can get one for your video card. (google "Omega Drivers"}.
Finally, before you lode the game, stop all unnecessary programs and processes. FSAutostart is a free program to do this and there are several other very low cost programs also. This will free up RAM.
Make sure you have virtual RAM set to "let windows decide".
If this doesn't work, I don't know enough about computers to help you any further, and some guru with have to take over helping.
If it works, please post back, as this might help somebody else in the same fix. :know:

[Gezoes]

The hardware should be enough. I used to run GWX on a 1,8 Ghz, with a Radeon 9800Pro and 1 Gig Ram.

Seems like a drivers problem. Are there any other similar crashes/anomalies?

[Jimbuna]

Welcome aboard aj906 http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9708/piratebf4.gif (http://imageshack.us)

If you don't get sorted by reverting back to earlier drivers, try the following additional measures.

When you've deleted the SH3 folder from C/MyDocs, use the SH3 disc to perform the uninstall operation, then d/l regvac (it's a free programme).....this should purge your systems registry of any unused or duplicate files.

The advice from Irish is sound.....my advice is simply intended as an additional aide. http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9026/wolfthumbsuprw5.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[aj906]

Many thanks for the help...

I did what Irish said and again, nothing. I checked the event logs for the time and it noted:

The computer has rebooted from a bugcheck. The bugcheck was:
0x1000008e (0xc0000005, 0xbf1c393c, 0xf6bd7a14, 0x00000000).

There is a dump file for this but I can't open it.

[Jimbuna]

I've just searched your bugcheck and came up with this : :hmm:

http://www.tuneupadvisor.com/fix-error-code.aspx

Could be something or nothing......here's hoping it helps.

[aj906]

Many thanks for the help guys, but still the same issue - the RegCheck just alows me now to stay in game for 3 mins instead of the previous 1 :damn:


I might have to take the thing down to one of the computer dealers in town and get them to have a look at it - maybe put in a new graphics card as well

[Graf Paper]

AGP card support for 3D gaming and applications is broken for ATI Catalyst drivers after version 7.7.

Attempting to run a game with Catalyst drivers newer than 7.7 will cause a crash just as you have described, aj906. There may be other causes, but this would be the first thing to look at, especially if you updated your video card drivers before installing GWX.

Depending on your system configuration, it may be necessary to go as far back as Catalyst v7.2 drivers.

If you do have Catalyst drivers v7.8 or newer installed, you can do a fix by copying the v7.2-7.7 "ati3duag.dll" files into your 'C:\Windows\system32\' folder. Which version will work for you just depends, but 7.2 ought to work regardless.

You may be able to do a simple copy and paste but you might also have to boot Windows XP into safe mode before making the change so it will take.

[aj906]

Many thanks for the info - but I think the necessary computer skills and googling is a bit beyond me.. :oops: However, I have no problems tooling about in Il2 both on and off line (though I don't know if that constitutes 3D gaming or not).

[Sailor Steve]

http://www.google.com/ig?hl=en

Click the 'Advanced Search' button for cool options. You'll find it's easier than you think. They made it idiot-proof, which is why I can use it.

Oh, and WELCOME ABOARD!:sunny:

[Jimbuna]

Many thanks for the info - but I think the necessary computer skills and googling is a bit beyond me.. :oops: However, I have no problems tooling about in Il2 both on and off line (though I don't know if that constitutes 3D gaming or not).

There's so much help available in this community that people seldom find their queries unresolved.

If it turns out you can't find a resolution here, it might be adviseable to seek help from your local computer store.

I sincerely hope this is not the case though....Good Luck http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

[aj906]

Thanks for the help...

I downloaded the dll from here: http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-files_new.php/dllfiles/A/ati3duag.dll/6.14.10.0231/download.html

Now, while it's fixed my Red Orchestra problem, it's done nothing positive for GWX2. Now, the computer reboots itself after it performs the disc check but before the game splash screen etc.

:damn: :damn: :damn:

[Tessa]

At least the game is actually starting now, even though it crashes. That's a big step forward and has a better chance of getting a diagnosis to fix it. The windows core dump files tend to be rather large and hard to find the info you need with a hex editor. First thing to try if you're still having problems would be to let us take a look at the event logs. From the start menu go to control panel -> administrative tools-> event viewer. Once the event viewer is open select the application line -> hit the action menu item -> save as -> then put a file name of application (and system, we'll need both) and save them to the desktop for ease of finding them. Repeat the process to save the info from the system event log.

Either post these files, or (not sure if you're able to post attachments yet?) just send them to me via pm and I'll take a look. There can be dozens of reasons why you're having these problems, the event log is usually the best source of information to help diagnose.

If you haven't already, make sure to scan your comp for viruses and spyware. There's plenty of good free ones out there (I like avant av and ad aware + spybot for spyware) that don't slow down your pc like norton does.

[Graf Paper]

aj906, that version of ati3duag.dll is the wrong one. You need 6.14.10.510.

I posted it to my Filefront page for you. Here's the link...
http://files.filefront.com/ati3duagzip/;9849215;/fileinfo.html

Hope this does it for you.

Otherwise, it's likely you have a corrputed SH3 or GWX install and will need to reinstall the game and mod. Any additional mods you use it would be wise to add them one at a time, start the game to see if it crashes, then add the next mod if everything is okay. If the game starts crashing, you ought to be able to trace it back to the mod you enabled last.

[aj906]

Many thanks to everyone for the help so far..

Graf, the .dll file still doesn't make a difference. Computer is still rebooting. I've since uninstalled the game and only re-installed the preGWX2 pack and now even the base game reboots. As I can't attach anything to posts, I've PM'd Tessa the event logs.

Thanks again everyone!